Teleostei (teleosts) >
Centrarchiformes (Basses) >
Terapontidae (Grunters or tigerperches)
Etymology: Hephaestus: Taken from Haphaistos, the God of fire in the Greek mythology; 1658 (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical
Oceania: northeastern Queensland, Australia.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 30.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 44894)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 10. Greatest body depth 2.2-2.5 in SL. Compared to H. fuliginosus, this species lacks the dark band across the pectoral fin base and the concave forehead-snout profile; and its relatively long pelvic fins reach the vicinity of the anus when depressed against the body (Ref. 44894).
Adults are found abundantly in faster flowing sections of rivers, including riffles, over gravel, cobble and rocky bottoms. Sexual maturity is reached at about 13 m for males. Spawning occurs from July to October. Feed on a variety of macroinvertebrates, including crustaceans, aquatic and terrestrial insects, and algae (Ref. 44894). Eggs are guarded and fanned by the male parent (Ref. 205).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
Eggs are guarded and fanned by the male parent (Ref. 205).
Allen, G.R., S.H. Midgley and M. Allen, 2002. Field guide to the freshwater fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum, Perth, Western Australia. 394 p. (Ref. 44894)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5001 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01660 (0.00638 - 0.04320), b=2.99 (2.76 - 3.22), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.3 ±0.5 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low to moderate vulnerability (27 of 100).